[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: January 16 – 22, 2010

Ongoing through Sunday, January 24 – Alexandria Restaurant Week
Alexandria Restaurant Week returns, and it is bigger and better than ever! Enjoy a three-course menu for $35, or dinner for two for $35. New this year, a sweet treat is being offered for just $3.50. More than 50 Alexandria restaurants are participating in this 10-day gourmet and gourmand event, where residents and visitors can choose from tantalizing multi-course meals and distinctive treats showcasing the inventive culinary diversity offered throughout the City. For a complete list of participating restaurants, menus and online reservations, visit www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.

Saturday, January 16 – Final Recycling Collection Day for Christmas Trees
Residents should set out their Christmas trees for recycling collection by 7 a.m. on Saturday, January 16. Please remove all ornaments, tinsel, and stands, before placing them on the curb. This is the last day that residents can set out their trees for recycling into mulch. After this date, trees will be picked up with regular refuse collection. For more information, call 703.746.4410.

Saturday, January 16 – Behind the Counter Tours
Take time to truly explore the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S. Fairfax St.) from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Witness the evolution of the Stabler-Leadbeater pharmaceutical business through the museum’s buildings and collection. Examine the objects, archival materials, and the building itself – behind the counter! These exclusive access tours are offered on the third Saturday of the month and advance reservations are required. Tours are limited to 12 people. The cost is $25 per person, which includes a light breakfast. Call 703.838.4242 for more information.

Saturday, January 16 – Barrett Library Book Sale
The Barrett Library (717 Queen St.) is hosting a book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 703.838.4555.

Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King Poster Contest
Celebrate this year's winners of the Martin Luther King Poster Contest! From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., join the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage and the Alexandria Black History Museum as they honor the winners of the annual elementary school student competition with a ceremony at Alexandria City Hall, 301 King Street, in the Council Chambers. Artwork will be on exhibit in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall through Sunday, February 28. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Tuesday, January 19 – Duncan Book Discussion Group
The Duncan Book Discussion Group will meet from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Every month, the group gathers to talk about a book, and vote on the book to be read for the following month. This month they will discuss The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The group meeting is open to the public. For more information, call 703.838.4566.

Thursday, January 21 – Civil War Dance Class
In preparation for the Civil War Ball on Saturday, January 23, learn the waltz, polka, Virginia Reel and more from an expert dance master at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. The class is 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and costs $12. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, January 23 – Food History Symposium
Here’s some real food for thought! At The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.), discover developments in early American food production and consumption with an emphasis on Alexandria and the Chesapeake region. Lectures are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and explore public markets, pottery vessels, bakeries, African-American foodways and chocolate. Advance registration is suggested but not required. The fee for participants is $50. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Ongoing!

From Books to Film Discussion Group
Readers and film buffs are invited to participate in the From Books to Film Discussion Group, which meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except January) at 7 p.m. in Beatley’s Small Conference Room. The group discusses films and the written works that inspired them, and participants are expected to have read the works and viewed the films before attending. The Library has chosen books and films that are in the Library and also are available from bookstores, movie rental outlets, and other library systems. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, and the group will discuss The Accidental Tourist, Anne Tyler’s novel of love and recovery to Lawrence Kasdan’s well awarded film. For more information, call Mark Schwartz at 703.519.3498.

Open Through Saturday, May 31, 2010 – “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts”
A new exhibition at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., blends historical photographs, artifacts and reflections to tell the story of Girl Scouting in the Washington metropolitan area. “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” features a collection of Girl Scout uniforms from the 1910s, 1930s and 1960s; Brownie items from as early as 1937; a display of cookie fundraising materials; extensive camping and hiking exhibits; and official Girl Scout gear including a canteen, collapsible cup, pocket knife, compass and more. Suggested admission is $2 and the exhibition is open through May 31, 2010. The Lyceum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.